AI-powered fitness device backed by British tennis stars

Artificial intelligence has entered the sports arena.

Elite sportsmen, like seven-time Grand Slam tennis champion Jamie Murray, are introducing AI into their training programs.

This fitness device can reduce pain, improve muscle strength all while actually doing less exercise - by tricking the body into a more effective workout.

[Alex Birks, Founder and CEO of Suji BFR] "Basically it's like having a physiotherapist in your pocket."

Suji BFR is the brainchild of young Scottish entrepreneur Alex Birks.

He's partnered with Jamie Murray and Great Britain's sport's governing body.

The technology, called the Suji Device, uses a technique that harnesses blood flow restriction training principles, or 'BFR'.

The flow of blood to muscles is partially restricted by a pressurized cuff during exercise.

This creates the same conditions in the muscles as a high intensity workout.

"I founded Suji BFR following a traumatic knee break that resulted in two surgeries and thirteen months of rehabilitation. Specifically, I broke my tibia, tore my ACL and did some significant damage to my meniscus. And as part of my rehabilitation I actually used BFR training but became super-frustrated with how poor the existing equipment was. And to be honest this is what prompted me to go and develop my own system."

Jamie Murray and his partner Alejandra Murray are among early investors in the company.

Suji BFR's partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association will see the devices assigned to players on tour to help reduce soreness and improve muscular performance,

especially critical when returning to the sport after injury.

But the AI-powered device wasn't just made with athletes in mind.

It adapts to a user's body and fitness, of any level.

And Birks says the timing is key, with gyms and sports centres forced to close.

"Typically access to the equipment and treatment of professional athletes is very expensive and requires the knowledge of a professional physiotherapist to really be effective. Suji Device is overcoming these hurdles through the application of AI. Sure we developed and tested the device with professional athletes and physios but it really is designed for use by anyone regardless of athleticism or access to physios."